‘He made a choice:” Trial continues in dragging case that left NYPD officer in a coma

<p>The trial for the teen accused of dragging an NYPD officer and nearly killing him continues today.</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 11, 2018, 10:57 AM

Updated 1,964 days ago

Share:

The trial for the teen accused of dragging an NYPD officer and nearly killing him continues today.
The trial, which began last Wednesday, is after an incident in June of last year where prosecutors say 16-year-old Justin Murrel was behind the wheel of a stolen car and took off when Detectice Dalsh Veve approached him, dragging him along for two and a half blocks.
Murrel is charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors argue he made deliberate choices to try to kill Veve, but his defense attorneys say there was no way for him to know Veve would hold on and what happened was an unintended consequence.
Veve’s injuries were so severe he was put in a coma and remained in rehab until nearly a year later.
Officer Veve was released from the hospital in May and to this day prosecutors say he still can't speak in full sentences or walk under his own power.
"He made a choice. He made a choice to steal a car, he made a choice to flee the scene, he made a choice to keep driving recklessly when a New York City police officer was hanging on the side of that car yelling police don't move,” says PBS President Pat Lynch.
This trial beginning last Wednesday, and jurors have heard from several witnesses. The trial expected to get back underway this morning.


More from News 12
2.9 magnitude earthquake rattles New Jersey; USGS says aftershocks could last weeks or months

2.9 magnitude earthquake rattles New Jersey; USGS says aftershocks could last weeks or months

0:53
Breezy conditions, chilly temperatures and clouds Saturday afternoon in New Jersey

Breezy conditions, chilly temperatures and clouds Saturday afternoon in New Jersey

0:16
Police: Suspects wanted for 2 pizzeria burglaries in Toms River

Police: Suspects wanted for 2 pizzeria burglaries in Toms River

0:28
Linden police warn of scam callers impersonating law enforcement

Linden police warn of scam callers impersonating law enforcement

0:10
Crews respond to SUV on fire on Route 1 in Avenel

Crews respond to SUV on fire on Route 1 in Avenel

1:08
New Jersey man says his business and family are at risk if TikTok app is banned

New Jersey man says his business and family are at risk if TikTok app is banned

1:43
Police: 2 people injured when tractor-trailer crashes into Cedar Grove pharmacy

Police: 2 people injured when tractor-trailer crashes into Cedar Grove pharmacy

0:26
Police: Man charged with wielding machete during road rage incident

Police: Man charged with wielding machete during road rage incident

0:14
Police: Hazlet man accused of setting multiple fires over span of 5 months

Police: Hazlet man accused of setting multiple fires over span of 5 months

0:53
Jersey Proud: Ramapo College genealogy team solves 22-year-old cold case

Jersey Proud: Ramapo College genealogy team solves 22-year-old cold case

2:02
MTA pushes back start date of congestion pricing two weeks to June 30

MTA pushes back start date of congestion pricing two weeks to June 30

0:20
Burglary at Manchester Township bagel shop caught on video

Burglary at Manchester Township bagel shop caught on video

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

3:03
Rutgers students remain on alert amid uptick of incidents near New Brunswick campus as 'Rutgers Day' nears

Rutgers students remain on alert amid uptick of incidents near New Brunswick campus as 'Rutgers Day' nears

2:25
Middletown street renamed in honor of iconic New Jersey brothers Stevie and Billy Van Zandt

Middletown street renamed in honor of iconic New Jersey brothers Stevie and Billy Van Zandt

0:25
Services announced for US Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. who died at 65

Services announced for US Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. who died at 65

1:09
Workers call out Gov. Murphy for saying there are 2 sides to casino smoking ban proposal

Workers call out Gov. Murphy for saying there are 2 sides to casino smoking ban proposal

0:31
Police: Former Giants lineman Korey Cunningham, 28, found dead in Clifton home

Police: Former Giants lineman Korey Cunningham, 28, found dead in Clifton home

1:21
SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

0:23
North Wildwood approved for emergency beach replenishment

North Wildwood approved for emergency beach replenishment